World · Europe · 1 day ago
Russia plans Oleshky videos as draft budget maintains funding for occupied Ukraine
Ukraine’s Security Service says Russian forces plan to make videos with residents of Oleshky, a town occupied by Russia in Kherson Oblast.
The videos, planned for October and early November, are intended to blame Ukraine for attacks and the blockade and to present Russian forces positively.
Around 2,000 people, including nearly 50 children, remained in the town, where residents face shortages and difficulty evacuating.
Russia has also proposed more than 865 billion rubles in federal funding for occupied parts of Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia and Kherson oblasts over 2027–2029.
Moscow says the money would support infrastructure and socioeconomic development under Russian control.
The Institute for the Study of War said the continued allocations suggest Russia sees investment in the occupied areas as a priority for integrating them into Russia.
The budget is a draft submitted to Russia’s State Duma, and the planned Oleshky videos have not yet been reported as released.
Ukraine’s Security Service says Russia is preparing staged interviews with Oleshky residents to blame Ukraine for attacks and discredit its leadership.
The planned videos are expected to be produced in October and early November.
Russia’s proposed 2027-2029 federal budget allocates more than 865 billion rubles to a state program covering four occupied Ukrainian regions.
Moscow says the funds are for infrastructure restoration and socioeconomic development.
The Institute for the Study of War says the allocations show Russia views investment in the occupied territories as a federal priority that supports their forced integration into Russia.
- Who
- Russia is preparing the videos, according to Ukraine’s Security Service. The proposed budget funds occupied parts of Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia and Kherson oblasts.
- What
- The SBU says Russia plans staged interviews in Oleshky to blame Ukraine and discredit its leadership. Russia’s draft budget maintains funding for occupied territories over three years.
- When
- The video operation is planned for October and early November. The budget covers 2027-2029.
- Where
- Oleshky, in the Russian-occupied part of Kherson Oblast, and occupied parts of Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia and Kherson oblasts.
- Why
- The SBU says the videos aim to discredit Ukraine and portray Russian troops positively. Moscow says the budget funding will restore infrastructure and support socioeconomic development.
Moscow
Institute for the Study of War
Purpose of funding
Moscow
Moscow says the funds are intended to restore infrastructure and support socioeconomic development in the four occupied regions.
Institute for the Study of War
The Institute for the Study of War says investment facilitates the forced integration of occupied territories into Russia.
(Russia) is failing on the battlefield and is therefore attempting by any means possible to undermine the psychological and emotional well-being of Ukrainians and destabilize the situation within our country
The relatively stable federal budget allocations... suggest that Russia continues to view investment in the occupation as a lucrative and necessary federal priority because it facilitates the forced integration of occupied territories into Russia
The Russian government submitted its proposed 2027-2029 budget to the State Duma.
The Russian-installed administration of occupied Kherson Oblast published the proposed annual allocations.
Ukraine’s Security Service said Russia had ordered a unit to produce staged videos featuring Oleshky residents.
The Institute for the Study of War said stable budget allocations indicate Russia considers investment in the occupation a federal priority.
- Total proposed funding
- More than 865 billion rubles ($10 billion) over three years
- 2027 allocation
- 293.8 billion rubles ($3.4 billion)
- 2028 allocation
- 290.1 billion rubles ($3.4 billion)
- 2029 allocation
- 281.7 billion rubles ($3.3 billion)
- Planned video period
- October and early November
- Video location
- Oleshky, occupied Kherson Oblast
Sources
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